Mother Francisca: A woman ahead of her time

MANILA, Philippines - Intramuros is a place known for its two great cathedrals — the Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church — its cobblestoned streets, and being a center for education, arts, history and culture. But little do people know that Manila’s famous Walled City might well have been the birthplace of the country’s version of women’s lib.

That can be traced back to one woman in particular, known as Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes, founder of the congregation of Dominican sisters of St. Catherine of Siena. Born to a Spaniard named Don Simon de Fuentes and Spanish mestiza Dona Ana Maria del Castillo y Tamayo, Francisca was promised in marriage, but that marriage did not last long. Her husband died, leaving her a childless young widow.

It was at that point in her life that Francisca discovered her calling. She dedicated her life to prayer and social service, and became a Dominican in 1682, choosing the name Francisca del Espiritu Santo.

One of her fondest dreams was to establish a Beaterio where pious women like herself could live together and devote themselves to prayer and the service of others — but that would not prove so simple. For Mother Francisca lived in a time when it was not for women to challenge the status quo.

But she continued to fight for the Beaterio, and in 1688, got approval for it. Yet her battles were just beginning. When a new director of their order was appointed, the project was opposed and set aside. But Mother Francisca did not give up. She brought the subject up again, and got scolded for her efforts.

Bravely, she told the director, Fr. Juan de Santo Domingo: “Father Prior, the Beaterio will be established, and your reverence will see it.”

With her persistence, Mother Francisca won Fr. Juan to their side. And yes, her dream for the Beaterio was realized six years later. Fr. Juan became one of their champions and eventually wrote a biography about Mother Francisca. This biography formed part of the basis for a forthcoming stage musical about her life, entitled Mother Francisca de Manila.

The musical is written and directed by Francis Villacorta, a history and political science graduate of De La Salle University. It will be mounted on Aug. 24 at Siena College Quezon City and on Aug. 26 at Siena College Taytay in celebration of Mother Francisca’s tercentennial.

Describing Mother Francisca, Villacorta says: “She was a woman ahead of her time. She fought for what she thought would be good for the community and despite the odds, she prayed and persisted and argued, even if it meant risking excommunication and exile.”

Mother Francisca was exiled in 1703 after Manila Archbishop Don Diego Camacho wanted the Beatrio put under his jurisdiction. The sisters resisted the idea until the conflict ended in Archbishop Camacho excommunicating Mother Francisca and putting the other sisters under interdict. To avoid scandal, the beatas removed their habits and with the help of the Governor-General and counsel from the Dominican Fathers, they went into exile at the Santa Potenciana College.

Much later, Mother Francisca fought for the creation of a bridgeway linking the Beaterio with the then exclusively male Colegio de San Juan de Letran. She and the sisters wanted a passageway, or bridgeway, that would allow them access to the Blessed Sacrament in the Letran chapel. “But during that time, ang mga bababe, hindi naman allowed to mingle with male students, so it was controversial but she insisted,” says Gem Samson, an alumnus of Siena College who is helping to mount the event that will not only help create awareness of the life of Mother Francisca (who, along with Mother Ignacia, is the only other Filipina who is a candidate for sainthood). Mother Francisca died in 1711, at the age of 63.

The goal of the musical, says Villacorta, is “to create awareness and inspire audiences about the lives of Filipinos who came ahead of us and made a difference in the lives of others. It’s basically a celebration of humanity.”

And there is much to be admired about the life of Mother Francisca. Aside from the fact that she fought actively for what she believed in, she was vocal about wanting to help others — and she didn’t just talk or preach about it, she actually went out and did it.

“Basically she started out as an ordinary woman who wanted to help others, all the needy and sick people, men in prison suffering physically and spiritually — she just wanted to help. This is a story that will appeal to the basic humane-ness of people,” says Villacorta.

He hopes that people will come out and support the musical because it has a story worth telling. The play’s values are universal. “It’s like the story of Gandhi. Not all of us are Hindu or can relate to certain aspects of his life, but we came to appreciate his life in general,” continues Villacorta.

Mainstream entertainment personalities like Ricky Davao and Rio Locsin are being eyed to take on major roles in the musical.

For details on how you can support this worthy project, call Mother Francisca Commission, Siena College at 416-7871.